Ben Zimmer, who writes the “On Language” column for the New York Times, says one reason the GOP launched the preemptive strike is because they sense the president has rediscovered his linguistic edge in recent weeks.

“Republicans recognize they are at rhetorical disadvantage,” Zimmer said. “Obama has been on an upward path lately with improved popularity and the Tucson speech in part was something that … established Obama as speaking from a position that is really above the fray.”

Interview on NPR’s “Morning Edition” previewing President Obama’s State of the Union address (Jan. 25, 2011).

President Obama is not expected to use the word spending in his State of the Union address Tuesday night. Instead, the word of the moment is investment. Ben Zimmer, who writes the “On Language” column in The New York Times Magazine, parses the two terms.